DEP
Announces Plans for $2.9 Million Rehabilitation of Belden House
in Putnam County

Commissioner Emily Lloyd of the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the DEP’s
plans to renovate the historic Belden House in Putnam County. The
$2.9 million project will restore the exterior of the building
to almost its original condition and will allow DEP to use part
of the interior space for its local Land Management offices.

Additional office space will be provided in the building
for the Friends of Belden House, which will also have the opportunity
to decorate public areas of the building, including its main foyer.

“We are pleased to be able to coordinate with
the County and with the Friends of Belden House to rehabilitate
this historic structure,” said Commissioner Lloyd. “The
DEP’s investment in this project will guarantee the future
of Belden House and help preserve an important part of the region’s
heritage. The City's land holdings have expanded considerably
over the last ten years and the restoration of the Belden House
will help our staff be exemplary land managers and continue to
provide excellent recreation opportunities and water quality
benefits.”

Bruce Heilman, Chair of The Friends of Belden House,
said, “The Friends of Belden House, the Putnam County Coalition
for Open Space and the over 600 people who have signed our petitions
now know that we, in turn, have friends: the New York City DEP
and the Administration of Putnam County. With this announcement
they are fulfilling our plea to ‘Save Belden House.’ We
commend the DEP for their actions; it is the right thing to do.”

Ann Fanizzi, Chair of the Putnam County Coalition
to Preserve Open Space and a member of the Friends of Belden House,
said, “The campaign on behalf of the Belden House was a unique
partnership and we realized our joint goal of preserving Belden
House in the history of Putnam County. We are very pleased
that this historic treasure is being saved for all to enjoy.”

The project includes $400,000 for architectural/engineering
design services and construction management, $500,000 for environmental
remediation within the building of items such as lead paint and
$2 million for construction. Following a one-year design
period, construction should begin in fall 2008 and take about 18
months to complete.

The original Carpenter Gothic-styled structure was
built around 1760 by Thomas Belden. A later descendent, George
Mortimer Belden, transformed it into its modern appearance in the
1870’s by providing ornate wood doors and trim, decorative
plaster moldings and marble fireplaces. The City of New York
acquired the house in 1896 during efforts to construct the West
Branch Reservoir. The house had been used as a residence
for an on-site custodian, and later for City offices. The
house is located on Belden Road in Carmel, between the West Branch
Reservoir and Lake Gleneida.

The project will enable DEP's Land Management Group to relocate
from Mahopac. This group, including land stewards, foresters
and property managers, is responsible for managing the City's East
of Hudson land holdings and recreation programs. Belden House
will also become the new location for rowboat steam cleaning.